MODW: Arsenal smash Newcastle

Arsenal recovered from their midweek setback in Europe by thrashing Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday and closing the gap with Liverpool at the top of the table to just two points. The impressive victory extended Mikel Arteta’s team’s amazing run in 2024, as they became the first team ever in the Premier League to net at least two goals in seven straight halves of football.
Arsenal have been unstoppable in the league since losing to Fulham on the last day of 2023, winning six games in a row, scoring 25 times and conceding only three. This has revived their hopes of winning the title, which had looked doubtful before.

Newcastle were overwhelmed by the home team’s pressure, and Sven Botman scored an own goal in the early stages, followed by Kai Havertz’s second goal after a brilliant move by Gabriel Martinelli.
Bukayo Saka netted a superb third goal after the break before Jakub Kiwior headed in a fourth. Joe Willock, a former Arsenal player, got a late goal for Newcastle, but it was only a minor consolation.

GOAL rating of Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium.

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (7/10):

Did everything right. Had a quiet day in terms of saves, but his passing was good and he commanded his box well. No chance with Willock’s late header.

Ben White (8/10):

Seems to be relishing the inverted full-back role he has been given lately. Played a big part in Arsenal’s attacking play, especially in the first half.

William Saliba (7/10):

Always composed. Had an easy first half and stayed alert in the second half as Newcastle posed more danger.

Gabriel Magalhaes (8/10):

His header was stopped before the early own goal. Dealt with Isak’s threat well.

Jakub Kiwior (7/10):

Another reliable performance from the fill-in left-back. Keeps doing a good job for Zinchenko and Tomiyasu, and got his reward when he nodded in the fourth goal in the second half.

Midfield

Jorginho (9/10):

Simply brilliant. His first-half performance was one of the best midfield displays of the season. He controlled the game with his passing. It was a strange choice by Arteta not to play him at Porto.

Declan Rice (7/10):

Newcastle had no answer to his powerful runs forward. He was unlucky not to score when Karius denied his shot.

Martin Odegaard (8/10):

He worked tirelessly to press the Newcastle defence all night. He set the tone for the team.

Attack

Bukayo Saka (8/10):

Almost scored in the first half but Karius saved his shot. Combined well with Odegaard on occasions. His set-piece delivery was superb throughout the game and he earned the goal he curled into the far corner in the second half.

Kai Havertz (7/10):

Showed his work ethic from the start and set the pace for Arsenal’s performance. Played the striker role very well and scored another crucial goal, but wasted a great opportunity to make it 3-0 early in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):

Wonderful run and cross for Havertz’s goal. Kept making runs all night. A constant threat.

Conclusion

Everyone expected a tough game, but you know how football goes. it turned into a thrashing for Newcastle United who made a weekend trip to the Emirate stadium last night.